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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Braided Fabric Coasters Tutorial

Ok, I'll admit it. I eat in my craft room while I work! Yep, right next to the sewing machine! Sometimes I get Hubby to come in and hang out on the bed while I work, so we'll often have snacks while we work. I get nervous that cold drinks will ruin my desk and dresser, so coasters were in order!
Of course, you know me and everything MUST match, so I used the same fabric from my tissue box cover and curtains. I cut 1/2 inch strips of fabric and used some Elmer's glue to attach strips together. The length of fabric you'll need depends on how big you want your coaster to be. These would also be great for hot plate trivets and you would obviously need more for those.
I took 3 strips and tied a knot at one end.
Then I started braiding the fabric. You can pin the knot to something to make it easier to braid or just hold it in your hands. Memories of those friendship bracelets from day camp, right?
Once the braid was done, I glued the ends together.
For me, it was easier to make a few braided strands and then attach them using glue to make one long braided piece.
Starting at the knotted end, I slowly rolled the braided fabric around to form a circle. I used glue to keep the coil from falling apart. Make sure to let each application of glue dry before continuing to coil or it will fall apart.
And keep coiling and gluing...
Until you get the size you want. It's easy to glue more braided fabric on to the end if you want a bigger coaster.
Once I was done, I glued the ends and trimmed the edges.
Thirsty, anyone?

10 comments:

  1. Hello Lisa,
    I linked over from “We Did It! Wednesday!” link up party. I love your fabric coasters, thanks for sharing your tutorial. I am so going to make some for our home. :o)
    Smiles, Paula

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  2. So cute and easy. LOVE! Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays at The NY Melrose Family .

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  3. Beautifully done, Lisa! What a great stashbusting idea too!

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  4. Awesome idea! Great tutorial :) I would love for you to link up to my Linky Party via: http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2012/04/live-linky-party-10.html

    Mrs. Delightful
    www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com

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  5. Such a neat coaster...it's absorbant! I would love for you to link this up to my "I Made This" party at Grits and Giggles. http://gritsandgiggles.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-made-this_18.html

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  6. such an awesome project and so simple for using up scraps. Love this! I would love for you to link this up to my Feature Friday Linky Party @ Blissful and Domestic

    Danielle
    www.blissfulanddomestic.com

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  7. Stopping by from Simply Designing... Great project! I have been looking for coasters but can never find any that I like- this would be the perfect way to get exactly what I want! And these would actually absorb water!

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  8. These are very cute Lisa (-: and I love that you snack in your craft room!

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  9. Perfect for the craft room! Thanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina

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  10. So cute! What a great idea to use up scrap fabric too! :)

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